Demand for roof coatings

Why Are Commercial Roof Coatings So Popular?

You’re asking why commercial roof coatings are in high demand, and what makes them such a popular choice for building owners.

Commercial roof coatings are popular because they extend the life of an existing roof, save money on energy bills, and cost less than a full roof tear-off and replacement. They offer a practical and cost-effective way to improve a building’s performance without major disruption.

Your Roof is Getting Old, Leaking, or Your Energy Bills Are Too High

As a building owner or facility manager, you might be seeing signs that your commercial roof isn’t performing like it used to. Maybe you’re noticing small leaks appearing, or your HVAC system is constantly running to keep the building cool. Perhaps your last energy bill was higher than expected, and you’re looking for ways to cut down operating costs. You might also be aware that your roof is nearing the end of its typical lifespan, and you're starting to think about expensive replacement options.

Ignoring Roof Problems Costs You Money and Time

Ignoring these symptoms can lead to bigger problems and higher costs. A small leak today can become a major leak tomorrow, causing water damage to insulation, structural components, and interior assets. Wet insulation loses its R-value, making your building less energy efficient and driving up heating and cooling costs. This also puts more strain on your HVAC equipment, leading to earlier breakdowns and expensive repairs. If you wait too long, a simple restoration might no longer be an option, forcing you into a costly and disruptive full roof replacement. A tear-off means significant landfill waste, higher labor costs, and business interruption. It's a lose-lose situation.

Restore Your Roof with a Conklin Coating System

Many building owners are choosing to restore their roofs with Conklin coating systems instead of replacing them. These systems are applied directly over your existing roof, creating a seamless, waterproof, and reflective membrane. This saves you money, extends your roof’s life, and improves your building’s energy efficiency.

Here’s how we typically do it, step-by-step:

1. Inspection and Assessment: First, a contractor installing Conklin systems will inspect your roof thoroughly. This is crucial to make sure your roof is a good candidate for restoration. We check for damaged areas, wet insulation, and the overall condition of the roof deck. If there's too much wet insulation (generally more than 25%) or the roof deck is compromised, a coating system might not be the best solution. We’ll give you an honest assessment.
2. Preparation: The roof surface is cleaned thoroughly to remove dirt, debris, and any loose materials. We often power wash the roof to ensure good adhesion of the coating.
3. Repair and Reinforcement: Any existing leaks or damaged areas are repaired. Seams, penetrations, and transitions are reinforced with fabric and coating to create a seamless, monolithic layer. This is especially important for flat roofs and metal roofs, which often have many seams.
4. Base Coat Application: A base coat is applied to the prepared surface. This layer provides strong adhesion and a solid foundation for the top coat.
5. Top Coat Application: Finally, a highly white reflective top coat is applied. This acrylic coating reflects sunlight, significantly reducing the roof’s temperature. This means your building stays cooler, and your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard, leading to lower energy bills.

The whole process is much less disruptive than a tear-off. Most of the time, your business can continue operating normally. Plus, you avoid sending tons of old roofing material to the landfill, which is good for the environment and saves on disposal costs. Our contractors installing Conklin systems are experts in applying these Conklin roof coatings and can restore various roof types, including EPDM, TPO, PVC, Modified Bitumen, BUR, and metal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a roof coating really lower my energy bills?

Yes, absolutely. The highly reflective white surface of our Conklin coating systems bounces most of the sun's heat away from your building. This keeps your roof surface much cooler, which in turn keeps the inside of your building cooler. Your air conditioning system won't need to run as often or as hard, directly leading to savings on your energy bills. Many factors contribute to a building's overall energy efficiency, but a reflective roof is a significant component, especially in warmer climates.

How long does a commercial roof coating last?

Service life depends on the roof's condition, the system used and how well it is maintained; ask the contractor to put the expected service life in writing. The exact lifespan depends on the specific system chosen, the condition of the underlying roof, and proper maintenance. Warranty terms depend on the system, the roof's condition and manufacturer approval; ask the contractor to put them in writing before work starts.

Is my roof too old for a coating?

Not necessarily. Many older roofs are still good candidates for restoration. The key factors are the structural integrity of the roof deck and the condition of the existing insulation. If the deck is sound and there isn't extensive wet insulation (meaning, more than 25% of the insulation is soaked through), a coating system can often restore an older roof. However, if the roof has completely failed, or there are significant structural problems, a coating may not be appropriate. An on-site inspection by a contractor installing Conklin systems is the only way to know for sure what your options are.

Ready to see if a Conklin roof coating system is right for your building? Our network of contractors installing Conklin systems serves building owners and facility managers across the U.S. Call us today at (309) 303-3128 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation roof inspection and estimate.